Each chapter of the course covers an essential element of 'Home Staging'.

The New Property Coach™ 'Elements of Home Staging Course' ... Out Now!

Pictures, audio guides and case studies help you to understand how each element works and how to stage your property perfectly for the viewing market.

How home & property stagers can increase the selling price of your home

Part 1

So After the shock exit last week of Liz & Katharine, well it was a shock for me as they were definitely Home Staging Consultants in the making, we are left with Graphic Designer Simon or "ex-dancer" Scott.

It will be interesting to see how each of them cope with working alone... a real test of decision making for any Property Stager.

We know that they will both be given a home to stage... how will they cope?

Oh Boy...or is that 'boys'... both these properties are the type you find when Home Staging, but you don't want them coming along too often...

I like to take my photos, go away and make my decisions... these guys won't have the time to be able to do that...they need to start making decisions right away.

I suggest a clear out before they start to 'rip out'... but I don't think that is what they are about to do!

Good luck guys!

Part 2

Interesting that neither have yet understood...'Use What you Have' & 'Work Fast'... Both are essential skills of a good Home Staging Consultant,

Understanding and having a workable colour scheme needs to be something you hold in your head... Don't reinvent the wheel...it's not interior design...it's home staging and you don't keep doing new things but use a workable palette that you know you can adapt to different homes and situations.

But these guys are being given a baptism of fire and if they come through, they'll be the stronger for it.

Part 3

Truth is homestaging is really hard to do in isolation. For most of us it is great to work in pairs and bounce ideas and solutions off each other. So these two had a lot to contend with.

i would say that Scott definitely got too ambitious with the building work.

Keep thinking... use what you have.

Poor guy though looked really worried by day 4.

I know that feeling so well, of getting close to your deadline and your budget and feeling that you just may not make it.

Still as both guys know, getting to the end of the job and seeing the result is such a rush.

Part 4

Both properties certainely looked better for the makeover.

Scott's north London 3 bed looked good downstairs but, as one of the presenters said, a little bit like a council house upstairs.

When staging a home you must keep the house feeling balanced... don't stage part of it to a high standard and then leave another part feeling unstaged and disconnected.

Scott had really transformed the Kitchen and Living room and they both created a great impression on those viewers... but don't forget to keep measurements to hand to ensure that, when buying furniture (the bedroom!) you buy pieces that fit...

Scott created spaces that had life and soul to them.

Simon's property also looked better than from the start, but not what I'd say 'very lifted'. The time taken sifting and sorting should have been put to better use.

Like Scott, Simon mad the mistake of not keeping measurements to hand and so all that time sourcing and then hiring a sofa, was wasted!

I thought the kitchen was OK but like other areas of the house it felt a bit lifeless and I personally though he could have done a lot more with the first floor.

Scott showed initiative when accessorising. I did wonder if the TV company had helped as I can't believe that out of his £800 he could have managed to buy flowers and accessories for the whole house.

Did any of you notice that BATHROOMS weren't touched.

I predict that in series 2 they will make a big entrance... as will back gardens and maybe dining rooms...

Interior Rivalry Week 4

So down to the last 4:

• Simon
• Scott
• Liz
• Katharine

Who's the one? Well by the end of this show we'll know who the last 2 are.

Yes I have to agree with those comments made on the four candidates.

You do have to use every trick in the book to convince those sceptical punters out there that YOU can do what they need.

Part 2

So what sort of strategy do they have to get those punters in and get them to sign on the dotted line...

Katharine & Scott - stylish, interior design oriented... is that Home Staging?

Simon and Liz - less corporate more middle of the road, more appealing to the older market...I would say that this approach would work in the right market

Remember that Home Staging is all about 'Getting inside the mind of your potential buyers'

The fact is this is a fantastic challenge...not what most of us are strong at ...the business/ marketing side of Home Staging.... but as Duncan Bannetyne said... 'no customers no business'

I do know that building a business strategy not only takes longer than 12 hours but it is an organic process that continues throughout the life of the business... so I did feel for those 4.

Part 3

Seriously I was learning stuff this evening... great I'll be closing more sales tomorrow... but seriously I really liked what I saw.

I would say that I identify more with Scott and Katharine .. I suppose I see myself as softer and slightly warmer. So seeing them fail to close on deals early on, was something I really identified with.

But look what they learnt in the last hour of the show... stand up, believe in what you do and are doing and convince others that you are the only option.

And it seems to have worked... even if they don't win, I think they'll both have learnt a heck of a lot about how to sell their future business services.

Part 4

So who stays who goes....

Phew I would never have guessed that Liz & Katharine would go... but to be fair I think that they all made a good job of their opportunities.

Yes Liz and Katharine will be back and I have no doubt will become part of Ann Maurice's 'House Doctor' home staging network... they have everything it takes to make it.

Good luck to both of you.

Scott or Simon... hard to say as I was putting my money on Liz or Katharine.

I feel that ultimately it will come down to whoever can understand the true concept of Home Staging a property.

Too much design,. Simon, is interior design... Be confident Scott, or the customer will become nervous of your decisions.

Part 1

So Ann takes the final 6 and, in part one, gives them the low down on Curb or Kerb appeal and the value of the kitchen when selling a home.

Kerb appeal is that 'something special' that sets your home apart from the others in the street... and signals to the buyer that they want to see more inside.

Kitchens are, as Ann said, the heart of the home... I think of them as the engine of the house. These are aspirational spaces that buyers want to be impressed by what they see. Not only clean functional spaces but places to relax in, entertain informally in and a room that reflects their personality.

Part 2

At last we start to see a few 'real' home staging moments... Every home stager that has learnt their skills will know that feeling when things start to go terribly wrong.

I am lucky in that I work collaboratively with my partner on all the work we do....

Liz & Mary are a great example of what 'not' to do when working with a partner.... argue and argue until neither of you can make any sensible decision.

Scott and Simon have fallen into the trap of crossing the line between Home Staging and interior remodelling... Their kitchen should have been a light touch.

Simon and Katharine... they have got the balance just right...ok the cooker went wrong (yes the tv company would have been happy) but every one of us has had our disasters....

Part 3

Actually I thought that Simon and Katharine did an excellent job on their property... just the right amount of input in those areas that make a difference. I don't know how good a job they made on the cooker though.

Simon and Scott.... need to remember that they are trying to work on a budget and work with what they have.

Mary and Liz... well to be fair I think Liz is a doer and could learn to make better decisions... Mary will always be a procrastinator and I reckon she will never make a great Home Stager... she's not working on the right level.

Part 4

At last... Simon's booted out... I think Ann said some nice words but I don't think Simon is a 'Designer' or a good stylist.... he is too wrapped up in his own self importance... Ann was absolutely right about chastising him for his treatment of the builder...out of order Simon!

Mary was the other casualty... she needs to learn to work collaboratively and not try and steam roller her way through... I think Liz had every right to look and be cross on camera.. there are times when I wish I was that straight talking!

I don't think Simon and Katharine were wishy washy... as one of the judges said... they just worked well and did the job... and the results showed. They were also prepared to 'put their hands up' and say 'We were wrong'... I think Katharine could be the one!

Next week we will see what the final four are made of ... as business people.

If you missed week 1 then scroll down for a quick synopsis.

This week Ann takes her 9 hopefuls and begins to really test their design mettle.

The first part of the show sees Ann instructs the candidates to paint a dolls house using a range of colours that would work well in a staged home.

Now I'm sorry but these so called 'Wannabe House Doctors' the cream of the crop who made it through... those who say they have watched every show and consume Ann's words... what on earth did the think they were doing?

Multi coloured walls, ghastly combinations... ridiculous!... Liz, Mary and Scott were the only ones to show that they had any idea of what 'Home Staging' is all about.

The next challenge is much more interesting... stage a real living room...

Three teams were given three different rooms to decorate in just 17 hours... this was a great challenge because it really reflects the need to make strong, quick and most importantly correct decisions when home staging.

The team of Scott, Liz and Sarah were by far the strongest. They had the challenge of an East End room with too much clutter and a stained carpet...Scott showed real flair on the buying front and really displays an ability to make fast 'good' decisions...the other two were equally impressive.

As for Mark and his team of Fay & Catherine and Singer Simon and his team of Mary & Simon...well I hope that they never end up being given the choice of what to do in a real emergency...

Why did Simon and Simon have such a silly 'I thought of that...no I thought of it' argument ...they just looked like pratts... I suppose that was a dream for the tv production company.

As for the Mark, Katharine Fay team... well the decisions were rather rash...I would never rip up carpet if there was a better solution.

I notice none of them thought of steam cleaning!

As for Mark and his team of Fay & Katharine and Singer Simon and his team of Mary & Simon...well I hope that they never end up being given the choice of what to do in a real emergency...

Why did Simon and Simon have such a silly 'I thougtht of that...no I thoughtof it' argument ...they just looked like pratts... I suppose that was a dream for the tv production company.

As for the Mark, Katharine Fay team... well the decisions were rather rash...I would never rip up carpet if there was a better solution.

I notice none of them thought of steam cleaning!

When the eliminations came there was no surprise with Mark & Fay...I predicted him & her to go last week...but I would say that the tv company chose to keep Singer Simon for his tv value...and nothing more. True I agree with Ann that to 'make' in this or any small business you have to know how to 'present' yourself....and I also won't miss Sarah (Fung Shui expert) as she had the presence of a spark in an inferno.....

Well I hope they ditch Simon soon as he really has no talent for Home Staging and would seriously annoy any client who called him in to stage their home.... but I am enjoying the show and looking forward to week 3.

From the thousands to 30 down to the 9

The name really sums it all up - Interior Rivalry. The show sees Ann Maurice, better known as tv's House Doctor doing what she does best... putting a load of wannabe House Doctors through their paces.

As she said at the top of the show... "I'm here to sort out the 'Wanna be's" from the "Could Be's" to find the "Will Be's"...."

The final "Will Be" will walk off with the £50,000 prize package... and the crown of House Doctor protege... well at least until the next series of Interior Rivalry.

Now truth is there is only one House Doctor... Ann Maurice.

Last night we watched as Ann took the final thirty hopeful's and put them through a series of tests.

Test number one was a fast paced 60 second appraisal of photographs of rooms that desperately needed the House Doctor touch

As the contestants stood there, some visibly trembling with fear, Ann sat with her piercing gaze and her most intimidating tight-lipped look as pictures flashed up on the TV screen in front of the contestants... We, the TV viewer were told what points Ann was looking for as she demanded a 60 second critique on how each contestant would restyle the room to sell.

From the living room chair it was easy to see the problems of each room, but imagine you were there in front of the queen of cream?... I know what it is like being under her questioning eye... and needing to come up with a good answer.

As Ann clearly point's out, and a very good point I have to say. "Staging is about going with the right gut instinct of what needs to be done to transform a room" "you don't have the luxury of the time or money when home staging"

This task quickly sorted out those who were able to quickly pin point a rooms issues, from those who would be flummoxed if put on the spot by a questioning client... the flight attendant seemed to be 'that' rabbit frozen in the headlights... still I would say that Ann's gaze can be ... piercing

Task two saw the candidates attempt to "dress a shelf" with the given items. Again you may sit at home and think that this was a piece of cake.

Let me tell you that it is one of the hardest skills a home stager has to learn... Why?... because you are looking to create a natural, organic, attractive, soulful, 'Unstaged' look from someone else's belongings.

Ann gave them just 2 minutes to come up with something that would pass muster....

As Ann pointed out to her co host, "this task is all about balance and harmony" "If you can dress a shelf you can dress a room".... Again I really think that this is true...

By now we were getting the measure of the contestants.

The next stage saw the contestants get a business grilling from Duncan Ballentine, of Dragons Den. I felt that the questions were a little pat....Why wasn't the one question that I wanted asked... asked?

"If you think you're so good at Home Staging, if you know you can do it... why aren't you doing it?"

After all I am sure that my fellow property stagers will agree with me... it is a low cost start up business and you can grow it as you feel able...you can start from home and fit it around your life and commitments....

There were a few tears...even from Ann...

Then came the final task before the 30 became the 9....

The first real chance for those contestants to 'Stage a Room'.

All the outcomes were OK...but taking a vote on where to place the 'coaster!'

Ann lined them up and gave some of them their marching orders and others a reprise.

Truth is TV shows will choose certain personalities that they think will create a good set up for the camera... I dare say that a fair few of the hopeful hundreds ( I have spoken with quite a few since the auditions) would or will make great home stagers... but they were just too ... well ordinary!

What some of the contestants seem to forget was that they were there to show their skills of home staging not 'show off'.

My money is on Liz, the cushion making housewife, will be crowned the new House Doctor... lets wait and see.

Interior Rivalry comes to TV

The name really sums it all up - Interior Rivalry. The show sees Ann Maurice, better known as tv's House Doctor doing what she does best... putting a load of wannabe House Doctors through their paces.

I am particularly interested in seing the show as I well remember my time working as location coordinator on House Doctor. On the set I was able to observe first hand what it is like to come face to face with tv's most formidable interior designer.

I am looking forward to the next 5 Thursday evenings as Interior Rivalry takes 100's of hopeful House Doctors and quickly whittles them down to just 9 (and that's in week one).

You know, of course, that there are going to be those hopeless but lovable candidates who don't have a clue how to present themselves let alone a hard to sell property ... there will be the underdogs, the overly confident and ultimately the shining star waiting to be crowned Britains next House Doctor...

Interior Rivalry promises to be every bit as entertaining as The Apprentice

Of course I hope to be entertained by Interior Rivalry but on a serious note I hope that while the show entertains it also shows the serious side to starting up, building and running your own Interior Design, Home Decorating or Home Staging business.

For all the talented florists, carpenters, tailors, caterers and home stagers out there - Talent does not necessarily mean success!

Without a good sound knowledge of handling the business basics, no amount of flair will compensate.

My inbox is regularly filled with emails from other small businesses asking

• "How do I promote my business?"
• "How do I charge... and get paid?"
• "How do I create a website?"
• "Should I be a limited company?"

These questions tell me more and more that people still run head long into starting up a business before they've even set it up.

For all the entertainment of Ann Maurice being...well Ann Maurice, I hope that Interior Rivalry at least touches on the not so fun or glamorous but never the less absolutely essential elements of running a business

When the cameras stop rolling one of those lucky contestants will have to start successfully pulling in the business.

Oh you still have one last question?

Is she really like she is on tv?

Well all I can say is Ann Has no time for poorly presented, poorly maintained or poorly marketed anything... so get your business plan in order if you are thinking of applying for Interior Rivalry 2!